The Cycle of Fate

Chapter 144: Divination with a Magic Mirror

Olson didn't mind Lumian's sudden tension. In a somewhat hoarse voice, he said, "According to protocol, as your overseer, I must have a private conversation with you."

Lumian let out a quiet sigh of relief and asked, "What are we going to talk about?"

Olson placed the small, brownish leather case next to his left leg. "If you find that your superior, Gardner Martin, is acting suspiciously or behaving unusually, report to me immediately."

"That's what I should do. If the boss has issues, that would open up a position," Lumian muttered silently, with a hint of sarcasm, and then asked, "How do I contact you?"

Olson stared into Lumian's eyes and said, "Leave a message in the basement of 13 Market Avenue."

13 Market Avenue... So, the Iron Cross Society is indeed connected to that burned-down building.

Olson likely has been to Trier during the Fourth Epoch, and he seems deeply affected by some form of corruption. He might know how to use the anomaly at 13 Market Avenue to his advantage.

Recalling his experiences from the previous night, Lumian felt that Overseer Olson was even more mysterious than his superior, Gardner Martin.

He suspected that the one secretly monitoring his every move at 13 Market Avenue was none other than Olson. Gardner Martin clearly avoided entering that place unless necessary.

Combining this with the fact that 13 Market Avenue was burned down over a decade ago, and what Mr. K mentioned about the Iron Cross Society distancing itself from other organizations in recent years, as well as the information from the Magician Lady about the current Watcher's ritual differing from the Iron Cross Society's previous trials, Lumian began to piece together a rough but incomplete chain of events.

He believed that the burning of 13 Market Avenue wasn't the Iron Cross Society's doing. However, they later discovered its secret, while also being affected by its corruption.

This led to certain mutations, although it was also possible that some members of the Iron Cross Society were corrupted elsewhere and then gained control over the anomaly at 13 Market Avenue.

"Alright," Lumian agreed with a nod.

His mind racing, Lumian looked at Olson, unable to conceal his confusion, and asked, "Was the trader I saw in the Alber Mines really you? Can your head detach from your body and survive on its own? Or was that just an illusion you created?"

Olson chuckled hoarsely. "Just in time, as your overseer, I have three things to tell you. First: What you see with your eyes isn't always the truth. Second: We will all eventually enter Trier from the Fourth Epoch; that is our destiny. Third: Don't easily believe what others tell you."

"Don't easily believe what others tell you... Interesting. Should I believe what you just said then? Maybe what I saw in the Alber Mines was real after all? Ha, talking about destiny in front of me... It doesn't concern me, but I wonder how Térmy Bolos feels about that," Lumian thought sarcastically, managing to control his urge to raise his right hand to press it against his left.

As Olson picked up the small, brownish leather case again, preparing to leave, Lumian asked curiously, "What exactly is in that case? Why do you always carry it?"

Olson smiled. "If I were you, I'd pray that I never find out the answer."

With that, the overseer opened the door of the moving carriage, jumped into the surrounding darkness, and instantly vanished.

Unlike when he arrived, Olson didn't deliberately conceal his movements this time, and Lumian quietly muttered to himself.

After returning to the Market District by carriage, Lumian didn't immediately head to the Golden Rooster Hotel or the safe house on White Coat Street to summon the Magician Lady's messenger and report his official induction into the Iron Cross Society. Instead, he went straight into the Breeze Ballroom.